NBA player Thabo Sefolosha spurns plea deal, asks for trial

Associated Press

Prosecutors say professional basketball player Thabo Sefolosha (sehf-ah-LOH'-shuh) has declined a plea deal that would have wiped away criminal charges stemming from a confrontation outside of a Manhattan nightclub.

The Atlanta Hawks guard-forward was arrested April 8. Police were investigating the stabbing of another NBA player. They say Sefolosha ignored orders to step away from the crime scene and became combative.

He was charged with obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Sefolosha sustained a season-ending injury in the struggle and missed the Hawks' playoff run.

According to The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/1MdrwUX ), attorney Alex Spiro says Sefolosha insisted on going to trial to clear his name.

Prosecutors announced they were dropping charges against another Hawks player, Pero Antic.

Sefolosha's trial starts Oct. 5.

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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com

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